What GCU Technology Program Are You?

I am a full time faculty member and program lead for the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. I teach a variety of programming languages, web application frameworks and cloud computing, all of which are taught as part of the Bachelor of Science in Computer Programming degree. This blog will provide an analogy that can be used to help determine which program, Computer Science, Computer Programming, Information Technology or Cybersecurity is right for you.

An Analogy To Help You

Maybe you have played many games. Have you ever thought about what kind of skills it takes to build your game? One popular game that was released a few years ago and continues to be enhanced by using modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Augmented Reality is the Pokémon Go game. If you do not know this game let me first give you a brief description of the game. Pokémon Go is an augmented reality (AR) mobile game developed and published by Niantic for iOS and Android devices. The game was first released in certain countries in July 2016 and in other regions over the next few months. The game is the result of a collaboration between Niantic and Nintendo by way of The Pokémon Company. It uses the mobile device GPS to locate, capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokémon, which appear as if they are in the player’s real-world location (Wikipedia, 2019).

Grand Canyon University has a number of technology programs to choose from. But what is all this lingo related to Computer Science, Computer Programming, Information Technology, and Cybersecurity and then how would you know which program to choose from?

Let’s return to our Pokémon Go game and see if we can clear things up. When you play this game you are presented with and search in real-world scenes with virtual (i.e. fake) creatures and other things in the world. This all works on your mobile devices using the same technology you use when you program your Google Maps or Apple Maps applications to find directions to go somewhere.

Well, there must be lots of engineers building these complex algorithms and capabilities for this game. Right? There is lots of math, science and technology being blended together to create all those virtual scenes, creatures and objects. These kinds of skills and knowledge is something you would learn in the Computer Science program at GCU. And someone wrote the game that you actually downloaded and installed on your Android or iOS mobile device or maybe you even played the game in your browser. Right?

These applications would be written using skills and knowledge you would learn in the Computer Programming program at GCU. Finally, you ran the game and interacted with gamers from all over the world on the Internet. Right? The networks and computers would be built and secured using skills and knowledge you would learn in the Information Technology and Cybersecurity programs at GCU.

Making Your Decision

Making the decision to attend Grand Canyon University is a no brainer. Making the decision on which Technology program is a more difficult and a big decision. Ask yourself what your interests are. Do you like math, science and writing cool algorithms? Then maybe the Computer Science program is the program for you. Do you like writing code for cool mobile or web applications and running applications on a cloud platform? Then maybe the Computer Programming program is the program for you. Or maybe you like building secure networks and computers that run all these complex algorithms and applications. Then maybe the Information Technology or Cybersecurity program is right for you. Good luck in your decision!

The College of Science, Engineering and Technology welcomes future students who aspire to drive positive change within their fields. Grand Canyon University provides a rigorous, modern curriculum within a supportive, Christian learning community. Look for the Request More Information button on this page to get started.